It was a good week of keeping up with my #3Words goal of spending more time with friends/family. Even if brought upon by sad circumstances over the weekend.

On Thursday, I took a long brunch and caught up with my cousin Brenda. LONG overdue. Way too long. Embarrassingly long in fact, which is EXACTLY the point of choosing FRIENDS as one of my 3 words to focus on for the year

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Also, rice pudding from Towne Restaurant. Mmmmmm. Delicious. Good call Bren.

On Saturday, HWMMS and I went to Edinboro, PA for a Celebration of Life for a good friend in his reenactment family, a gentleman who actually was the best man in his first wedding.

I agree with the Celebration of Life idea. When I die, no funeral. No wake. No viewing. No mass. No cemetery gathering. Just a simple “Celebration of Life” will do, thank you. And that’s only if someone left behind wants to plan one.

After paying respects we went over to the Henning home and hung out for hours catching up. My sister-wife and her sister Chelsea made the trip from the D.C. area with their kiddos for the weekend. Zara came along too. I didn’t want to leave, it was so good to see everyone.

As we left, DeeDee grabbed my hand and said “you know we love you, right?” My heart melted. What an incredible gift this family has been to so many. I’m blessed to be a part of this family. While legally, they are my husband’s ex-inlaws, they have never once been any sort of an ex in his life. And they welcomed me right into the fold with open arms immediately. Families are made up in all sorts of interesting, delightful ways.